Chapter Seventeen
Julie stared across the blanket at Reed, his words hanging in the air between them. A dozen thoughts swam in her mind at once. I must not have been that terrible after all. If Serena suffered through rainstorms and boring card games just to be with me. She’d had no idea until this moment that most of her insecurities stemmed from her distorted view of their times together. Her guilt had warped her point of view over the years. At that moment, instead of remembering her own whining and complaining during the card games, memories of them laughing hysterically, sharing confidences, pigging out on caramel corn, rolled through her consciousness as if projected on a movie screen. The rain pelting the glass in the quiet room made the memories come alive. She’d forgotten the good Serena brought out in her, only recognizing where she lacked. Where she differed from the perfection of her sister’s memory.
Was it possible she’d been selling herself short? Was she enough on her own? Just the mere possibility felt like lead weights toppling from her shoulders.
Julie came back to herself then, her surroundings returning in sharp focus. Reed, tuxedo-wearing Reed, watched her silently, a handful of cards tapping against his polished wingtip shoe, face partially obscured by shadows. Not shadowed enough for her to miss the intensity of his expression. He looked almost harsh in his attractiveness. The elegant attire suited him too well. She was suddenly thankful he didn’t wear suits and ties to work like the other men. He’d be beating the women off with a stick.
Her gaze dropped to the blanket they sat on, one he’d put here specifically for her. To help her remember Serena. Such a simple gesture, and yet he would never know the impact it had. He’d started the ball rolling with his speech in the forest, and now for the first time in four years, breathing came easy. She didn’t feel that insatiable need to find a task to occupy her mind, to relentlessly prove her worth. Could just sit there and be. With Reed. Yes, she wanted so badly to be with Reed. For as long as she could.
“Julie, I’m starting to get worried over here.”
Laughter bubbled up in her throat as she launched herself across the blanket. Into his arms. He closed them around her tightly, releasing a shaky sigh against her neck.
“Thank you. For this.”
“Oh, good.” His body eased of tension. “You like it.”
“Yes. Of course.” She inhaled Reed’s scent from his collar. “I love it.”
When his fingers slid through her hair and pulled her back to meet his gaze, Julie leaned into his touch. Drawn to it. Craving it. Her mind, suddenly clear of gray fog, was on a high. At that moment, it became imperative that Reed share it with her. This man she cared about. This man who obviously cared about her to some degree, as well. Whatever their differences, whatever the future held, she needed him so badly her hands began to shake with the need to be touched. His hard body hummed with life beneath her, solid and warm. He felt her transformation. She could tell. The rise and fall of his chest gave him away, the way his mouth opened on her neck, hands tightening on her lower back.
“Reed,” she murmured, finding his mouth, throwing every ounce of feeling within her body into the kiss. At the same time, her hands gripped his lapels and dragged the jacket from his broad shoulders. “I need you.”
“You have me, baby.” He watched her nimble fingers work his buttons with hot, anticipation-filled eyes. “You f*cking have me.”
“Here.” She ripped open his shirt, revealing a rigid wall of muscle. “I need you right here.”
“Christ. Anywhere.” His hands slid up her thighs to disappear beneath her dress. Julie whimpered when he pressed his middle finger through the silk of her panties into her opening. She could feel the material grow damp as the heel of his hand ground over her *oris. “You’re going to take me right here. All of me. Where you’re so tight and hot it makes me angry. Aren’t you, baby?”
“Yes.” Julie’s head fell back in surrender. With her current sharp focus, she could practically feel everything click into place with his demands. Reasons didn’t matter. Only the sense of completion she felt when he took her over. “I’m going to take you. Where I’m t-tight.”
Reed tore her panties, groaning a harsh sound. “Unzip my pants. I want to see myself in your hand.” She lowered his fly and his erection came free, thick and ready. Biting her lip to keep from moaning, she gripped him in her hand and stroked him root to tip. Reed threw back his head and growled at the ceiling. “That’s my girl. Now guide me between your legs. I’m going to go f*cking crazy watching you put me where you need me. You’re clenching tighter just thinking about me filling you. Aren’t you?”
Her thoughts blurred momentarily, then crystalized, centered on the pulse beating at the juncture of her thighs. His erection felt hard and heavy in her hand. With a moan of pleasure, she dragged him through the wetness at her core, circling the head around the bundle of nerves pleading for satisfaction. She took the condom he offered from his pocket and rolled it down his length quickly. The undeniable need to encourage him assailed her. To let him know the effect he had on her body in the way she knew he needed. Eyes locked with his, she sank her teeth into her lower lip. “I want to ride it hard, Reed. Tell me to ride it hard.”
He took her chin between his thumb and index finger, tipping her face toward him. “Hard is the only way you ride it. Ever. Is that clear, Julie?”
She lowered herself onto him in answer, gasping at the delicious fullness. Her shaking thighs tightened around his waist until she got used to his size, then her hips began to rock. Hands clutching his shoulders for balance, she spread her thighs wide, bucking and swiveling mindlessly. Ceasing to think. His name became a litany on her lips, interrupted only when his fingers dug into the flesh of her ass so roughly she cried out. Her orgasm blasted through her in a rush, strengthening her even as it weakened her muscles and limbs.
Chest heaving, sweat beading his upper lip, Reed watched her in awe. A look that became an addiction on the spot. Julie pushed him down to the floor, smiling inwardly when he groaned at her boldness. She knew Reed liked to dominate. If she’d learned anything about herself this week, it was that she wanted, needed, him, exactly as he was. Right now, however, she needed something different. Something self-affirming. And he already knew her, cared about her enough, to give it to her. The thought caused an unnamed emotion to flood her chest.
“Keep riding,” he encouraged with an upward thrust that made her gasp. “Finish me off, baby.”
Emotions rocketing out of her control, Julie wanted to obey, but the girl she’d just rediscovered wanted to drive him out of control. Push him to his limit. Her hands rose of their own volition to unbutton the top of her dress, spreading the material wide so he could see her naked breasts. She ran her fingertips over the stiffened peaks, exulting in his harshened breathing.
“I can’t hold back much longer. Take me or be taken, Julie.”
She gathered the skirt of her dress in her hands and lifted. Immediately, Reed’s head tilted forward to see the point where they were connected, jaw clenching at the sight. She raised up on her knees to circle her hips enticingly on the tip of his erection and watched his eyes go heavy-lidded. Then she sank down, slowly, inch by inch, until he filled her once more. Placing her hands lightly on his chest, she gave one leisurely roll of her hips. One designed to leave him wanting more.
He took it.
Reed flipped her onto her back and drove deep. “This what you want, Julie? It’s what I want.” He pushed her knees open and pumped his hips furiously. “F*ck that, I need it. Need you.”
“You’ve had me.” She dragged his head down for a long, wet kiss. “This whole time.”
“My girl. Mine.” He thrust one final time and came with a groan, face buried in her neck, muttering words that only made sense to their ears. They lay there for long minutes afterward catching their breath. Finally, Julie found the strength to lift her hand and run it down his back.
“Reed. A minute ago. Did you say something about the Super Bowl?”
His deep laughter shook her body, but he quickly grew serious. “Pixie, look at me,” he commanded gruffly. She did as he asked, heart speeding up at the seriousness evident in his face. “You said in the forest, you don’t know who you are with me. I hated it at the time. But the truth is, I don’t know who I am with you, either. I only know I’m so much better. Stronger. Happier.” He grasped her face in his hands. “You want to know what comes after this? Let me tell you what I should have said before. We go home together and find out who we are together. That’s what comes after.” His eyes held a hint of pleading. “Okay?”
Julie was already nodding. “I want that, too.”
“Tell me this doesn’t end. Tell me you’ll stay with me and keep making me better.”
“Yes. I don’t want it to end.” Julie kissed his lips softly, lingering there. “You had me the first night. You’ll have me every night after.”
“Move your things to my room. I’m not sleeping without you.”
“Why can’t you move your things to mine?”
“I feel another wager coming on,” he murmured.
She nipped his ear. “You better not let me win.”
Tenderness shone in his eyes. “Julie, you’ll win all on your own.”